Mamelodi Sundowns nearing a return to Loftus

Loftus Versfeld Stadium is close to hosting matches again after the playing surface underwent a ‘facelift’.

DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns haven’t been able to utilise the stadium this season due to a new pitch installation.

As part of keeping up with modern trends, the new hybrid pitch will have an irrigation and drainage system at the stadium that is used by both Sundowns and the Blue Bulls rugby union.

According to Obie Oberholzer of Keep It Green who worked on the project, the Bulls will be the first to step on the new surface.

“The first game is on the 22nd of October and that is the Bulls against the Scarlets,” Oberholzer revealed on Sundowns’ Pitchside Podcast.

“We started by getting the Bulls and Sundowns involved in the project. We scrapped the whole playing surface and resurfaced it with silica sand and not soil like the old one was. We put in a new drainage and irrigation system before getting grass max (machine) in to do the artificial grass hybrid stiching.

“The old soil had clay in it and you would have a problem with growth and the drainage system. Clay is not needed in a sports facility, whereas if you use silica sand, the drainage is better and the evenness is better. Within 25 minutes of a heavy downpour, you should be able to play again.”

Thumbs up

The Brazilians are expected to get a feel of the new surface when they host Moroka Swallows in a league encounter at the end of this month. Their Sporting Director Flemming Berg gave the new turf a thumbs up as it would suit their passing game.

“We set the standards and we always try to raise the bar on all aspects of the game when it comes to pitches, players and recruitment and our playing style,” he said.

“We play a passing game with build-ups from the back. We average 650 and 700 passes per game and we are by far a team in the league with the most passes. So a strong playing surface is very important for our type of play. It’s also important because there will be less injuries because it is more stable.”